Introduction to Counseling Services COUNSELING SERVICES Center For

Introduction to Counseling Services COUNSELING SERVICES Center For Student Success Yelena Sardaryan, MPH, MA

OUTLINE �What is Counseling? �What is the demand for Counseling: General population/Students �What is Counseling Relationships about? �What is Confidentiality �Scope of Counseling Services �Working Hours/Making appointments �Small exercises

WHAT IS COUNSELING �When someone invites and allows another person to enter into a particular kind of relationship with them. �Permission to speak �Respect for difference �Confidentiality �Affirmation

WHAT IS THE AIM OF COUNSELING �Insight �Problem-solving �Relating �Psychological to others �Self-awareness �Self-acceptance �Self-actualization �Enlightenment education �Acquisition of social skills �Cognitive change �Behavior change �Empowerment

OUTCOMES OF COUNSELING �Resolution �Learning �Social Inclusion

WHAT IS THE DEMAND FOR COUNSELLING? �Nearly half of American households have had someone seek mental health treatment � 91 %--said they would likely consult or recommend a mental health professional if they or a family member were experiencing a problem. � 87% pointed to lack of insurance coverage � 81% percent pointed to cost concerns. � 20% STIGMA is "a very important reason not to seek help" from a mental health professional. � 59 million people have received mental health treatment in the past two years, and that 80% have found it effective

COUNSELING SERVICES AT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

OTHER STATISTICS* � 19% reported experiencing a Verbal Threat within the last 12 months. � 47% felt things were Hopeless within the past 12 months � 55% feeling very Lonely within the past 12 months. � 11% seriously considering Suicide within the past 12 months; 1. 8% have attempted suicide. � 45% that their academics have been Traumatic � 42% report that their Finances Have Been Traumatic � 58% experiencing more than average or tremendous Stress � 22% Sleep Difficulties affected their individual academic performance within the past 12 months *American College Health Association - National College Health Assessment II (ACHA-NCHA II), 2015

COUNSELING RELATIONSHIPS �Empathy �Avoid �Responsibility �Appreciation �Counseling �Support plan network Involvement �Informed consent harm of personal values �Trust �Confidentiality

SCOPE OF PSYCHOSOCIAL ISSUES � Loss � Death � Trauma � Domestic violence � Displacement � Stress � Stigmatization � Sexual abuse and ets • Fear • Sadness • Loneliness • Guilt • Aggression • Somatic complaints • Sexual difficulties • Substance abuse Mental Health problems

RECOGNIZING WHEN A STUDENT MIGHT NEED HELP �Changes in Mood and Behavior �Detachment from social networking �Traumatic Changes in life relationships �Drug and alcohol abuse �Physical concerns �Adjustment difficulties �ON-LINE communication versus OFF-LINE

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM COUSELING �Negative thought and feeling will rise/may feel worse in some way �Discussion of your concerns �Identify ways of finding your own solutions to problems �Counselor acknowledges your feelings and thoughts �Develop counseling plan �Resolve-Learn-Social Inclusion

WHAT COUNSELORS DO �Good Counselor listens without judging or criticizing �Good Counselor listens with empathy �Counselor should never tell you what to do

WHAT COUNSELORS DO NOT DO - Ordering, commanding, and pressuring - Warning and threatening - Giving advice or providing solutions (when this is not necessary) - Moralizing and labeling - Disagreeing, judging, and criticizing - Instruction and evaluation - Arguing - Openly showing disbelief - Lack of interest or not responding - Educating (when not appropriate)

SCOPE OF COUNSELING SERVICES at AUA �INDIVIDUAL COUSELING �GROUP COUSELING �WORKSHOPS �WELLNESS SESSIONS �CRISIS INTERVENTION �REFFERALS

WHAT IS CONFIDENTIALITY �Personal information �History of the sessions �Content of the sessions, including concerns �NO ONE, including Center for Student Success, parents, AUA staff and faculty, NO ONE, • Unless �Danger to himself/herself �Suicidal thoughts �Child abuse �Abuse of a vulnerable adult

WORKING HOURS/MAKING APPOINTMENTS �Monday through Friday, � 04: 15 pm-06: 15 pm �Contact • in person (Main Building, room 418 M), • by e-mail (Counselingservices@aua. am) • by phone (SOON )

WHY COUNSELLING? �Counseling is often an effective way of dealing with psychosocial and emotional problems. �Behavior is often an open expression of feelings. In order to change problematic behavior, counseling requires dealing with feelings. �Psychological health is an important part of survival, protection, and general development. �Counseling encourages and assists to find a solution for his/her problem/situation.